The Tower Bridge London was built during the late nineteenth century, when the demands for a new river crossing rose in east London. This is also when the trading industry had experienced a sudden ride. Therefore, the builders of the bridge had to ensure that the bridge would not limit the access. This would allow the sailing ships, vessels and cargo ships to sail freely between the port facilities at the London Bridge and the Tower of London. It took almost 8 years and over 50 designs for the final design of this bridge to be confirmed in 1884. The construction of the Tower Bridge began in 1886, and it was finally open to the public in 1894. In the year 1982, the Tower Bridge Exhibition was opened, thereby letting visitors gain an insight into the bridge’s rich history and significance. As of today, more than 40,000 visitors visit the London Tower Bridge every day.
Begin your tour by heading up the Victorian staircase to the North Tower of the Tower Bridge. Here you can learn about the architects, makers, technicians and all the other people who laid the foundations of this iconic London landmark. Watch films from the times gone by, and see how the bridge has become significant to the culture and history of the city. Get a chance to experience the hustle and bustle of the London cityscape from the Victorian era, which is around the same time when the bridge was built.
Next in your tour of the Tower Bridge, head towards the East and West walkways, where you can enjoy an experience of walking on glass walkways. From the see-through windows here, look down directly onto the bridge and the river Thames, and see as pedestrians cross the bridge, from a height of 42 metres above the river. And if you are lucky, you might even catch sights of the bridge lifting up right below you. You can also soak in panoramic views of the city from here, in addition to witnessing famous landmarks of London, including the St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Monument, Canary Wharf, Shooters Hill, St. Katharine’s Docks, London Eye, The Shard, Wembley Stadium and more.
Descend through the South Tower in the bridge and get a chance to learn about the people who have worked inside the bridge and maintained it ever since it was completed in 1894. Watch video footage of the Tower Bridge lifting up from years ago, along with its original designs, the tools as well as materials which were used to build it. You can even see the original designs of the bascule chambers and the uniforms of the staff who used to work here. The South Tower also has a “Walk of Fame,” which is where you can see ornamental bronze plaques with names of the staff who helped to build this magnificent structure.
As you exit the South Tower, you will find a Blue Line which will lead you all the way up to the Engine Room inside the Tower Bridge. This line is said to commemorate the people of the bridge, the male and female staff who played different roles and helped to construct and operate the bridge all throughout its thousands of years of history. Spend some time observing the names that are featured here, all of which belong to people of different trades, from watchmen and traders, to designers, mechanics, engineers, and more.
Head over to visit the Engine Rooms, which once used to help keep the Tower Bridge function properly. The room is set amongst the original steam engines, accumulators, as well as coal burners. You can also get a chance to learn about the history of the bridge and people who used to work in these rooms, such as cooks, engineers, coal stokers, etc. You can also view the original steam engines from the Victorian era, coal-fired boilers, drivetrains and other equipment here, and learn how they used to work as well. Then, before heading back home, visit the award-winning shop in the Tower Bridge, where you can get your hands on an extensive selection of special London-themed souvenirs, gifts, books, postcards and other things to take back home.
Location: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP, United Kingdom
Timings: 09:30 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the Tower Bridge London is during early mornings, from 09:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This is when the crowds here are relatively less, which thereby gives you the chance to explore the attractions inside the bridge and spend time here without any rush. Additionally, you can also plan your visit between 10:00 a.m. to 05:30 p.m. from April to September, and between 09:30 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. from October to March to catch sights of the bridge when it is being raised.